PLANNING chiefs have approved proposals to redevelop a site formerly home to a listed pub – despite serious concerns over a lack of parking space.

The Manx Arms, on School Brow, close to the town centre, was demolished in May.

And plans to redevelop the site to provide one five-bed house of multiple occupancy and one four-bed house of multiple occupancy were passed by the development management committee at the Town Hall on Wednesday.

Planning officers said the proposals would deliver a ‘sustainable form’ of development and the benefits ‘would outweigh the loss of the heritage asset’.

No car parking will be provided as part of the development, although there will be an area to park cycles.

But highways officers did not raise any objections due to the ‘availability’ of on-street parking in the area, as well as the ‘proximity to sustainable transport options’.

However, during Wednesday’s meeting, committee member Cllr Jean Flaherty (LAB – Fairfield and Howley) raised concerns on the matter.

She said: “It really is bad in the inner wards, the parking situation.

“I am really concerned that we consistently say it doesn’t matter, it really does.”

The properties will each have shared communal facilities.

In the design and access statement, application agent JT Design Consultancy said it believes the proposals can be achieved to ensure an ‘appropriate level of amenity for future occupiers’.

It added that the former pub had ‘attracted’ vandalism and anti-social behaviour.